Sitting furniture



Jan. 30, 1962 w. s. NUGENT 3,019,051

SITTING FURNITURE Filed Jan. 11, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lnven tor WALTER S.'NUGENT Attorney Jan. 30, 1962 w. s. NUGENT SITTING FURNITURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 11, 1960 Inventor WALTER s. UGENT 3,019,051 fillTlNtr FtJrtNll'itJittE Waiter Nugent, teas Cedar Grove ftivd fialryille, Gntario, Canada Filed Jan. 11, Pint), her. No. 1,559 2b Claims. (Ci. 297-418) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in the manufacture and upholstery of sitting furniture such as chairs, sofas, stools and other pieces.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an upholstered piece of sitting furniture utilizing components of simplified form, arrangement and connection with a view to reducing the costs of manufacture by decreasing production times and by eliminating expensive equipment, specialized handling, skilled labour and other costly items and procedures.

An equally important object is to provide a piece of sitting furniture whose appearance is in keeping with the latest trend in furniture design, emphasizing simplicity of line and functionality and generally having a wide aesthetic appeal.

Still another important object of this invention is to provide sitting furniture which is extremely comfortable, affording adequate support to the body where required, and yielding under shifting weight of the body.

Another object of this invention is to provide an upholstered piece of furniture whose components can be replaced or repaired with facility, and in particular whose outer fabric covering is readily removable for replacement or cleaning if it is required.

Still another object of this invention is to provide lightweight durable furniture.

The principal feature of this invention resides in utilizing an endless substantially rigid rod frame having a measure of resiliency, the rod frame consisting of two side portions joined by two end portions and preferably of rectilinear configuration, the frame having applied thereto flexible substantially non-extensible fabric in taut relation for supporting the body, the frame being secured to a rigid base with the side portions sprung apart.

More particularly, as applied to chair construction, the principal feature of this invention resides in providing a rigid surface-engaging base with a body supporting formation secured to the base comprising a generally rectilinear continuous resilient rod frame of substantially rigid outline and consisting generally of two side portions joined by two end portions, the side portions defining a generally horizontal seat section and an upstanding back section, with the back section being connected to the seat section by reversely bent rod sections supporting the lowermost extent of the back section forwardly of the rearward extent of the seat section, a fabric sheath of flexible substantially non-extensible material snugly encasing the rod frame and held in taut relation, body supporting and cushioning means disposed within the sheath and arranged to extend over the seat and back sections, respectively, the side portions of the seat section being secured to the rigid base in a resiliently sprung apart relation.

The unitary construction of the seat and back sections of the furniture piece not only simplify construction, but by reason of the configuration of the side portions of the frame, the back section is springly supported from the seat section and is yieldable under shifting body weight. Moreover, by reason of the mounting of the frame with the side portions sprung apart, an additional yielding action in the seat section is experienced, promoting the comfort of the user.

A further feature of the invention resides in securing the body supporting formation to the rigid base by means of releasable clamp members whereby the body supportice ing formation can be repaired or parts replaced. In particular, it is a feature that the fabric sheath is provided with an opening whereby the sheath is removably fitted over the rod frame, and slide fastener means or other suitable means are provided for releasably closing the opening. With this arrangement the sheath may be removed for repair or cleaning.

These and other objects and features will be found in the following specification to be read in conjunction with the sheets of drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a chair constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the chair construction of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the chair construction of FIGURE 1 shown partly in section and partly broken away to illustrate the arrangement and connection of the components of the seat and back sections;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view partly broken away taken along the lines 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the unitary body supporting formation of the chair construction of FIG- URE 3 showing the underside thereof:

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of the rod frame of the body supporting formation of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a step in the anchoring of the body supporting formation of FIGURE 5 to the rigid base frame of the chair construction of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the body supporting formation anchored to the rigid frame, where- FIGURE 9 is a perspective view partly broken away of the rearward juncture of the seat section and back section of the body supporting formation illustrating an alternative construction.

With reference to the sheets of drawings, the invention is illustrated in the form of a chair structure indicated at it chair structure it) consisting essentially of rigid base 11 to which is secured a body supporting unitary seat and back formation 12.

Base 11 comprises a pair of spaced side frames 13, 14 connected by transversely extending brace members 15, 16 respectively, rearwardly and forwardly, and an intermediate brace member 16' to anchor the side frames against relative displacement forwardly and rearwardly. Side frames 13, 14 each have arms 17, 18 respectively, legs 19, 20 respectively, and rearwardly inclined brace members 21, 22 respectively. Brace members 21, 22 present vertically extending support surfaces 23, 24 for the support of seat and back formation 12, which will be described subsequently.

While base 11 is illustrated as being constructed of wood and is inherently a rigid construction, base 11 could also be fabricated of steel or any other suitable material.

Again with reference to base 11, while it has not been illustrated in the drawings, it is possible to provide the side frames 13, 14 and transverse brace frames 15, 16 in the form of releasably interlocking units and so to assemle a series of similar frames and braces together, eliminating arm formations where it is necessary, to provide a sofa or settee. Such arrangement embodies the concept of the invention of providing a substant ally rigid base frame to which a plurality of body supporting formations are to be attached in side by side relation.

Body supporting formation 12 is constructed as a single unit having a generally L-shaped configuration in side elevation and a generally rectilinear configuration in plan.

The body supporting formation 12 consists of an endless rod frame of a generally rectilinear outline, rod frame being preferably of alloy steel which is both strong and resilient.

Rod frame 25 consists of a pair of identical spaced side rod portions 26, 27 joined by upper end rod portion 28 and lower end rod portion 29, respectively. Side portions 26, 27 are bent into a somewhat L-shaped configuration which, together with the end portions 28 and 29, define a seat section 31} and a back section 31.

In the preferred form of the invention, the reversely bent rod portions 32, 33 each form an acute angle of approximately 45 with the plane of the seat section 30 and an obtuse angle of approximately 120 with the plane of the back section 31.

Also in the preferred embodiment, the front to rear length of the seat section 31 is approximately 23 inches, the upstanding extent of the back section 31 approximately 13 inches, and the reversely bent rod sections 32:, 33 approximately 4 inches.

The upper horizontal end rod portion 28 of the back section 31 is provided with a shallow transversely extending curve and the forward lower end rod portion 29 of the seat section 30 is provided with a shallow transversley extending curve downwardly. This shape enhances the appearance of the finished chair and as well provides a support for cushioning material to be applied to the frame 25.

In the preferred embodiment, rod frame 25 is con structed from resilient steel alloy in the form of a rod approximately inch in diameter and consequently is relatively stiff, requiring considerable force to separate the side portions 26, 27. Rod frame 25 is adapted to be supported from the brace frames 21, 22 of the base 11 by suitable brackets 34 constructed from steel plate. Brackets 34 each have a vertical shank portion 35 which is arranged to abut the vertical surfaces 23, 24 of the brace frames 21, 22 each having an opening 36 to receive a screw threaded fastener 37.

Integral with shank portion 35 is an upstanding opensided hook formation 38, offset with reference to the plane of the shank and with its axis arranged substantially parallel thereto. The diameter of the hook formation 38 is of the order of the diameter of the rod of frame 25 and is adapted to snugly receive rod frame 25 as indicated in FIGURE 4.

In the preferred embodiment, four brackets are required, two located forwardly as at 39 and two located rearwardly as indicated at 40.

The vertical extent of the shanks 35 of brackets indicated at 40 are preferably greater than that of the forward brackets because of the increased forces applied thereto both in the anchoring of the rod frame 25 to the base 11 and in the application of the weight of the user to the body supporting formation 12.

The separation of the side frames 13, 14, the dimensions of the brackets 34 and the dimensions of the rod frame 25 are selected so that the transverse dimension of the rod frame 25 in its normal disposition is less than the separation of the brackets 34 in their anchored position, requiring that the rod frame 25 be mounted with the side portions thereof sprung apart. In the securing of the rod frame 25 to the base 11, it is preferable to place the frame 25 in the brackets 34 which are loosely anchored, then tightening up the threaded fasteners 37 which effectively springs the frame 25 apart. This aspect has an important bearing on both the appearance and the comfort afforded by the chair construction.

The rod frame 25 is upholstered by applying to each of the seat and back sections 30, 31 canvas sheeting which is substantially non-extensible, but flexible, and preferably in the form of a sleeve section. Canvas sleeve sections 41, 42 each can be secured by suitable means to its respective seat or back section 30, 31 respectively. The dimensions of the sleeve section 41, 42 are selected so that upon mounting of the frame 25 on the base 11, the canvas sections 41, 42 will experience a tautness.

Mounted to extend over the seat canvas section is a generally rectilinear foam rubber or plastic foam section 43 having a thickness sufficient to yield under body weight and give comfort. Under the forward portion of the seat foam section 43 is a transverse foam piece 44 which is secured to foam section 43 at a point where the knee of the user will normally lie, raising the foam section 43 under the knee. This added thickness enhances the comfort afforded by the chair.

The seat foam section 43 is secured at its forward edge 4:"; to transverse rod portion 29 by a length or lengths of suitable adhesive tape 46 in the form of a wide band. As indicated in the drawings, the forward edge 45 of the foam section 43 is collapsed into a thin substantially rounded configuration which contours the final appearance of the chair. Similarly, the back section 31 is provided with a generally rectilinear foam section 47 of a sufiicient thickness for comfort and which is substantially co-extensive therewith, foam section 47 being secured to the upper transverse rod portion 28 by a length or lengths of adhesive tape 43 which compresses the upper edge 4? into a thin contoured line.

It has been found that it is desirable to skive the lower transverse edge 5% of foam section 47 upwardly in a shallow curve to improve the final appearance of the chair construction.

A snug sheath 51 of suitable fabric such as plastic or heavy woven upholstery material is constructed to fit over the rod frame and appended canvas and foam sections, the sheath 51 having a generally elongated rectangular configuration and being defined generally by upper and lower superimposed fabric sections 52, 53. In the lower fabric section 53, a longitudinal slit 54 is formed which is adapted to be closed by a slide'fastener indicated at 55 or other suitable means. The sheath 51 is adapted to be 'fitted over rod frame 25 and adjusted to place the uninterrupted fabric section 52 over the seat section 30 and the back section 31 with fabric section 53 disposed on the underside as indicated in FIGURE 5. With the sheath 51 so adjusted, the opening 54 can then be closed by the slide fastener 53.

Both the sheath 51 and the canvas sleeves 41, 42 of the seat portion 3t? are provided with openings 56 to expose those portions of the rod frame 25 which engage in brackets 34 as indicated in FIGURE 5.

Sheath 51 is constructed so that it fits over the frame 25 snugly and when the opening is closed, rounds off the corners of the thick foam sections 43, 47 as indicated in FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings.

The upholstered body supporting formation 12 is then mounted in the brackets 34 carried by the base frame 11 and the brackets 34 tightened against the upstanding vertical surfaces 23, 24 of the brace members 21, 22 which causes the side portions 26, 27 of the rod frame 25 to be sprung apart tensioning both the canvas sleeves 41, 42 and the sheath 51, bringing them into substantial taut relation. This is illustrated diagrammatically in FIGURES 7 and 8. In this way, all wrinkles are removed from the overlying sheath 51 to give a pleasing appearance, and as well, the peripheral outline of the substantially rigid rod frame 25 is emphasized. In particular, as at 60, a sculptured appearance is achieved by reason of the tight conforming of the sheath 51 about the juncture of back and seat foam sections.

The alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 9 provides a connection between the upper and lower sections 52, 53 of a sheath formation 51, the connection consisting of fabric pieces 61, 62 which are releasably joined by a slide fastener indicated at 63 or other suitable means and extending between the juncture of the foam sections 43', 47 of the seat and back, respectively. With this arrangement the upper surface of the seat and back of the chair is kept virtually wrinkle free in that upon the release of the material from contact with a person rising from the chair, the upper and lower v fabric sections 52', 53' of the sheath 51' tension each other and urge the upper sheath section 52 to return to its original position.

It will be appreciated that the invention has been illustrated as being applied to chair construction, whereas the invention can be applied to other sitting furniture and as well, other variations and modifications may be taken by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. In a furniture piece, a rigid base, a body supporta formation mounted on said base, the body supportformation comprising a continuous unitary resilient re having a substantially rigid outline and consisting of generally two side portions joined by two end portions, flexible substantially non-extensible body supporting means secured to said resilient frame in substantially taut relation and means securing said frame with said body supporting means secured thereto, to said rigid base at each of said side frame portions with said side frame portions sprung apart said securing means engagsaid side frame portions in a manner to leave a substantial extentof same unsupported and free to move inwardly under the application of force to said taut flexible substantially non-extensible body supporting means.

2. In a furniture piece, a rigid base, a body supporting formation mounted on said b-ase,-the body supporting formation comprising an endless resilient frame having a substantially rigid outline and consisting of generally two side portions joined by two end portions, flexible substantially non-extensible body supporting means secured between said two side portions in substantially taut relation, and means securing said frame with said body support means secured thereto, to said rigid base forwardly and rearwardly of said side frame portions with said side frame portions sprung apart and leaving the side frame portions between said forward and rearward securing means unsupported and free to move inwardly under the application of force to said taut flexible substantially non-extensible body supporting means.

3. In a furniture piece, a rigid surface engaging base, a body supporting formation mounted on said base, the body supporting formation comprising an endless resilient frame of substantially rigid outline and consisting of generally two side portions joined by two end portions, and defining a generally horizontal seat section and an upstanding back section, substantially flexible non-extensible body supporting means secured between the side portions of said seat and back sections in substantially taut relation, and means securing each said side frame portion of said seat section only to said rigid base with said side frame portions sprung apart said securing means engaging said side frame portions in a manner to leave a substantial extent of same unsupported and free to move inwardly under the application of force to said taut flexible substantially non-extensible body supporting means, said upstanding back portion being supported solely from said seat portion.

4. In a furniture piece, a rigid surface engaging base, a body supporting formation mounted on said base, the body supporting formation comprising an endless resilient frame of substantially rigid outline and consisting of generally two side portions defining a generally horizontal eat section and an upstanding back section, the back section being connected to the seat section by reversely bent frame portions supporting the lowermost extent of the back section forwardly of the rearward extent of the seat section, the side portions being joined by an upper transverse end portion and a lower forward transverse end portion, flexible substantially non-extensible body supporting means secured over said frame in substantially taut relation and means securing each side frame portion only of said seat section to said rigid base, with said latter side frame portions sprung apart, said upvsaid rigid base comprises a generally rectilinear frame provided with surface engaging leg members at the cor- 5 standing back section being supported solely from said seat section by said reversely bent frame portions.

5. In a furniture piece according to claim 4 wherein a plurality of securing means are provided for securing each said side frame portion of said seat section to said base at spaced points there along and leaving the side frame portions of said seat section between each adjacent pair of securing means unsupported and free to move inwardly under the application of force to said taut flexible substantially non-extensible body supporting means.

6. In a furniture piece according to claim 5 wherein said securing means comprise releasable clamp members are arranged in upstanding opposed pairs forwardly and rearwardly of said seat section of said frame.

7. In a furniture piece according to claim 6 wherein each of said clamp members comprises a flat shank portion having an open sided hook formation mounted at one end thereof, said hook formation being offset from the plane of said shank portion with the axis arranged substantially parallel to the plane of the shank portion.

8. In a furniture piece according to claim 7 wherein the shank portion of said rearward pair of clamp members are elongated.

9. In a furniture piece according to claim 6 wherein ners thereof, said rectilinear frame being open centrally and presenting inwardly facing opposed substantially vertically extending surfaces for attachment of said clamp members.

10. In a furniture piece according to claim 4 wherein said endless resilient frame is formed of an endless steel rod having a generally rectilinear configuration.

11. In a furniture piece according to claim 4 wherein said flexible substantially non-extensible body supporting means comprises substantially non-extensible fabric pieces secured between the side portions of said seat section and back section, respectively, separate cushioning means anchored over each of said fabric pieces and a fabric sheath snugly enclosing said frame, fabric sections and cushioning means.

12. In a furniture piece according to claim 11 wherein each said fabric pieces have a tubular configuration and are sleeved onto said seat and back sections, respectively, and secured thereto.

13. In a furniture piece according to claim 11 wherein each of said cushioning means comprises a yieldable thick body of foam substantially co-extensive with said sheet and back sections, respectively, the foam body of said seat portion being secured to the forward end portion of said frame and the foam body of said back portion being secured to the upper end portion of said frame.

14. In a furniture piece according to claim ll wherein said upper end portion has a rearwardly extending shallow curved configuration and said forward lower end portion has a downwardly extending shallow curved configuration.

15. In a furniture piece according to claim 11 wherein said fabric sheath comprises essentially superimposed fabric sections joined at their peripheral edges, one of said fabric sections having an opening therethrough whereby said sheath is fitted over said frame and means are provided for releasably closing said opening.

16. In a furniture piece according to claim 15 wherein means are provided for releasably connecting said superimposed fabric sections generally transversely thereof with said fabric sheet applied to said frame, the aforesaid means extending between the juncture of said seat and back foam bodies within said fabric sheath.

17. In a furniture piece according to claim 13 wherein said foam body secured to said back section is skived in an upward curve substantially from one side to the other along its lower transverse edge.

18. In a furniture piece, a rigid surface engaging base,

a body supporting formation mounted on said base, said body supporting formation comprising a generally rectilinear continuous resilient rod frame of substantially rigid outline and consisting generally of two side portions joined by two end portions, the side portions defining a generally horizontal seat section and an upstanding back section, the back sectionbeing connected to the seat section by reversely bent rod sections supporting the lowermost extent of the back section forwardly of the rearward extent of the seat section, a fabric sheath snugly encasing said rod frame, body supporting and cushioning means disposed within the said sheath and arranged to extend over said seat and back sections, respectively, and means securing each said side portion only of said seat section to said rigid base with said latter side portions sprung apart said securing means engaging said latter mentioned side frame portions in a manner to leave a substantial extent of same unsupported and free to move inwardly under the application of force to said fabric sheath and encased body supporting and cushioning means, said upstanding back section being supported solely from said seat section by said reversely bent frame portions.

19. In a furniture piece, a rigid base comprising a generally rectilinear horizontal frame having depending leg members at the corners thereof, a body supporting formation mounted on said horizontal frame, the body supporting formation comprising an endless frame of substantially rigid outline having a measure of resiliency, and consisting of elongated side frame portions defining a seat section sloping uniformly rearwardly at a slight angle to the horizontal, and an upstanding rearwardly inclined back section, the back section being connected to the seat section by integral reversely bent frame portions supporting the lowermost extent of the back section frame portions forwardly of the rearward extent of the seat section frame portions, and end frame portions joining the upper ends of the back section side frame portions and the forward ends of the seat section side frame portions, a flexible substantially non-extensible body supporting means secured to said rod frame in substantially taut relation, body cushioning means extending over said seat and back sections respectively and supported on said flexible body supporting means, a sheath member snugly encasing said frame body supporting means and cushioning means respectively and a plurality of means securing each said side frame portions only of said seat section to said horizontal base frame at spaced points therealong, with said latter said frame portions sprung apart and leaving the side frame portions of said seat section between each adjacent pair of said securing means unsupported and free to move inwardly under the application of force to said sheath member and encased body supporting means and body cushioning means said upstanding back section being supported solely from said seat section by said reversely bent frame portions.

20. In a furniture piece, a body supporting formation comprising an endless resilient frame having a substantially rigid outline and consisting generally of two spaced side portions joined by two spaced end portions, flexible substantially non-extensible body supporting means secured at least between said two spaced side portions in substantially taut relation, means supporting said body supporting formation from said side portions of said frame only, with said side portions sprung apart and maintained in sprung apart relation, said support means engaging said side portions of said frame in a manner to leave a substantial extent of same unsupported and free to move inwardly under the application of force to said taut, flexible substantially non-extensible body supporting means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,974,948 Brown Sept. 25, 1934 2,142,740 Wechsler et al Jan. 3, 1939 2,565,870 McGuire Aug. 28, 1951 2,773,544 Dusenbury Dec. 11, 1956 2,865,436 Thorne Dec. 23, 1958 2,865,439 Schaffer Dec. 23, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 665,948 Great Britain Feb. 6, 1952 

